Where to begin……WOW!!! I have had the privilege of coaching with August since he was 6 years old. We have developed a level of trust and rapport that allows freedom to offering vulnerable criticism and correction along with regular “call-outs” of moments of greatness. We have spent over a decade together developing August’s sense of “feel of the water.” Spending the time to develop trust and a willingness to be vulnerable with your coachee will propel the coaching to powerful insights, immense success, and total transformation. So often we want to hurry up and get right to the “issues or problems,” or get to the fix…..slow down. Seek first to understand and then be understood.
As a mental performance and swim coach I believe that the individual in the water is their best coach…..they are their OWN best coach. I create an environment where the athlete is empowered to trust their instincts in the water, to become aware of the movements they make in the water and then process the reaction that has on how they move through the water.
August has achieved an Olympic Trials cut in the 100 Butterfly and is fractions away in 3 other events. Through years of technical perseverance August has developed a high level of intuitive feel for the water which allows him to adjust and adapt to anything that comes up during his race.
Mental performance coaching is KEY to sustained elite level competition. It is the processing center for our movements. So much of what we experience AND our reaction to that experience is carried with us into our competitive arenas. If we don’t process those reactions, if we don’t clear out our emotional and mental “storehouses” then our ability to sense, react, and adapt is weighted down and sluggish.
Whether you are a 5 year old beginner athlete, a high school athlete looking to play collegiate sports, or a collegiate athlete looking to compete at an elite level or go pro, mental performance will serve you in all areas including your “off the field” presence.
“Coach Matt has been our son’s coach since he was 6!! This year, as a senior, August, our son, has reached new peaks in swimming that is an absolute testimony to the caliber of coaching from Matt. He placed second at Summer Junior Nationals in the 100 fly, got an Olympic Trial qualifying cut, was selected to be on the National Junior Team, and he is set to compete well in Winter Junior Nationals in a few weeks! Coach Matt’s knowledge in the sport is only one part of the many elements that is brought to the table when he coaches. He develops an incredible personal relationship with each athlete. That deep bond creates a trust and ability to dive deeper than just the sport. Coach Matt helps the athlete fuse who they are personally with the skill set necessary in the sport and builds a champion mindset that has been proven time and time again!!”
-Christian Vetsch